Gotta choose a carrier

So it's getting down to the wire. I have to choose a carrier to start my OTR experience with upon finishing school. I have prehires with Werner and Swift. I have spoken with Prime, they don't do "pre-hires" but they don't see there being an issue with getting hired upon completion of school. I have tried to contact Crete, they never got back to me. Same with WEL.

So the issues are as follows: Werner has been in contact with me throughout school and they are telling me great things(good miles, good equipment, tuition reimbursement, etc) however, their poor reputation precedes them. Sliding pay scale 22-44 cpm based on trip.

Swift, I have heard good and bad... Not to sure what to believe. They never contacted me after they approved my app. 24cpm

Prime seems like the best deal at 30cpm and they seem like they are not just having people come to orientation and sending them home because they didn't bother to do the work beforehand to verify eligibility of employment like the other two. The drawback is that they want me to train for 60,000 miles with a trainer. I just really don't want to be stuck in a small confined space with someone else for that long I don't even know.

So I ask, what should I do. I know I will be a good driver, but I want to go with a company that will pay me decent to start(I don't expect to become rich...), takes care of their equipment, doesn't have any issues with me running completely LEGAL, and will just let me do my thing after I get on my own if I do my part.

What do you think? Keep in mind I am in the southwest US. Many companies do not operate/hire from here. Please do not suggest companies that only hire midwest/south/eastern drivers only. Thanks!

 

Gawd Man,whenever you drive around and see 3-50 tractors and trailers sitting around,stop in and talk to em.

 

Swift starts at .24 cpm?!!

 

I've heard too many tales of Werner newbies sitting waiting for trucks.

Don't know much about Prime.

Out of the three, I'd have to say Swift. I have a hard time believing the .24 a mile, but I've been out of the seat for awhile.

 

Dude you're out of the southwest...go with Swift....yes they get a bad rap some of which IS DESERVED......but all in all yes .24 cpm is low...but you will have pretty good equipment and may be able to get on a dedicated run pulling walmart freight which is a pretty decent job actually. I would advise against Werner...been there done that....DON'T GO THERE......prime will probably try to get you into a lease option...you could do worse that them though. Good luck to ya be safe

 

I heard others say that they try to force you into a lease. I am not interested in that. How bad are they about it? Do you they expect you to sign anything just to get hired as a company driver? Any honest input is very appreciated.

Thanks for the responses so far!

 

Where in the S. E. are you? H.O. Wolding hires in the Phoenix area. Swift would be about the best of the three options listed in your poll.
Though I might also look for a O\O that could train you as well. You may have to start out working a dock for a few months to prove that your serious about working for them. Or doing basic yard work, painting trailers, washing tractors.

You don't need to go with the biggest of the big to get a job. That is such a fallacy of most schools.

 

Not to sound snotty at all, but there is no way I am going to work on a dock after paying thousands for school and getting my fully endorsed cdl. One way or another, I am going straight from school to a driving position. I have loans to pay back.

I definitely appreciate the feedback though, I just don't want to end up getting screwed over by a company that just hires students to run them as a team then drops them at the end of the training period instead of giving them a truck to solo in.

 

I started with Werner. I apparently was one of the few lucky ones. Had orientation in Lakeland. The following night my trainer was at the terminal to pick me up. Went through training. Was dropped off in Omaha when training was done. Had my truck the following day to go solo. My dispatcher volunteered me for any temporary positions on dedicated accounts that needed a little extra help so I got to do Dollar General, Walmart twice and I did RR Donnelly for awhile. Had a great dispatcher. Had a great training driver manager. For the most part, I had great experiences with Werner.

The horror stories I heard/observed: students fresh out of orientation in Lakeland having to take a van to either Ohio or Texas to get with a trainer. New solo drivers having to take a van to Ohio or Texas to get a truck. Trainers kicking students out of their truck for repeated safety violations. Trainers not getting any sleep because they feared for their lives when the student was driving. Students not getting any sleep because their trainer was a pervert. Students getting trainers who wouldn't shower.

My trainer told me I was one of the best students he ever had.

Another small bonus for Werner: they have a variety of trucks to choose from. Short nose, long nose, Pete, Kenworth, Freightliner.

 

I keep going back and forth between Prime and Werner for some reason... I was considering ConWay TL but they would want me to go all the way to Joplin, MO just to train...